With the objective of giving a boost to the Indian defence industry, the Government on Tuesday cleared proposals worth over Rs 7,900 crores including 12 light utility helicopters and naval guns. All these weapon systems will be manufactured within the country.
The proposals costing Rs 7,965 crores were given the go-ahead by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The DAC is the apex body for clearing proposals put forward by the three Services.
Giving details of the contracts, defence ministry officials said here after the DAC meeting, all the proposals (100 per cent) are under ‘Make in India’ with focus on design, development and manufacturing in India. They will address the modernisation and operational needs of the armed forces.
In one of the big contracts, the public sector aeronautical conglomerate Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) will supply 12 light utility helicopters including six each to the army and the IAF.
These helicopters will replace the ageing Chetak and Cheetah helicopters now used by the Army and IAF. In all, the forces need more than 200 light utility helicopters.
The HAL-designed helicopters have passed the mandatory flight tests in all kinds of terrain and weather conditions with more than 500 test flights. The prototypes flew in cold weather, hot weather, sea-level and high altitude complying with stringent certification and user requirements. The HAL is likely to deliver the 12 helicopters by late next year.
Besides its own indigenously designed three-ton light utility helicopters, the HAL may manufacture 200 Kamov helicopters in collaboration with Russia. While 60 of these helicopters will be acquired off the shelf, the HAL will manufacture the remaining 140 helicopters here. The deal is worth over one billion dollars.
The other proposals given the nod by the DAC included Lynx U2 Fire Control System from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) which will enhance the detection tracking and engagement capabilities of war ships. Mid Life upgradation of the Dornier Aircraft from the HAL to increase the naval capacity of maritime reconnaissance and coastal surveillance was also approved by the DAC.
As a further impetus to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ a global procurement case of naval guns was foreclosed with these guns’ quantity added to the upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) being manufactured by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
These SRGMs provide niche capabilities of engaging fast manoeuvring targets using guided munitions and range extensions and are to be fitted on the warships.